Production of electrodes for galvanic batteries



Patented June 3, 1924.

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PAT E'NT QYFvFLICeE.

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No Drawing. Original application filed April 12, imasernn No. 289,644.Divided and this application filed December 14, 1920. Serial No.430,783.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Harrow N. Sex, acitizen ,of the United States, and aresiden of Glen Ridge, Essex County, New Jerseyhave invented certain newand useful Improvements in the Production of Electrodes for GalvanicBatteries, of which the following is a description.

The present application 10 my .copendingapplication, Serial No. 2&9,-6414, filed Ai-prillfl, 1919,,andentitled, Production of electrodes forgalvanic batteries on which 'Iatent 1,366,559 .was granted .on Jan.25,1821.

*My invention relates to the production of electrodes for galvanicbatteries, and more particularly those employing a caustic alkalineelectrolyte, and in whiolithe negative electrode consists of an elementor elements of oxid of copper or other depolarizing agent and thepositive electrode consists of an element or elements of zinc.

In batteries of this type, the negative electrodes are usually made inthe form of 25 lates or cylinders molded from a mass of finely dividedoxid of copper. As oxid of copper is a material the particles of whichhave very slight attraction for each other, it has heretofore beennecessary in forming such electrodes to subject the finely dividedcopper oxid to an enormous pressure in molding and to then bake or heatthe molded element for a considerable period under a red heat in orderto pro erly ag lomerate and harden the same. It as also een customarybefore molding the finely divided oxid of copper, to mix a slight amountof alkaline Water therewith.

The principal object of my invention is to produce an improved electrodeof this character which will be more uniform in structure and which willbe self-sustaining and sufficiently hard and strong for practical use,without subjecting the same to the usual baking operation.

My invention also resides in the method of making my improved electrode.

I have found that molded oxid of copper electrodes in which a mixture offinely divided metallic iron, or finely divided iron reduced by hydrogenwith an electrolyte such, for example, as an ammonium salt, butpreferably ammonium chloride, if properly incorporated or combined withthe is a division of oxid of copper as a binder therefor, aresufficiently hard, strong and coherent without baking. Moreover, thedisposition of the oxid of copper in such an electrode is more uniformthan in electrodes of this character heretofore employed, andconsequently ithe electrode is more uniform in its action in the cell.

'Wherefinely divided metallic iron .or iron reduced by-h-ydrogen ismixed or associated with an ammonium salt or other suitable electrolyte.as a .binder' for the .oxid of copper, the electrode produced isharderand stronger than ,where the binder consists only of an ammonium salt orother suitable electrolyte.

Electrodes embodyingmy invention may be made by various methods, but Ifind the following to be the preferred:

Where finely divided iron or iron reduced byhydrogen is combined with anammonium salt, such as ammonium chloride, or other suitable electrolyteas a hinder, the electrode is formed by mixing substantially 100 partsby weight of cupric oxid with substantially 2 parts by Wei ht of finelydivided metallic iron or iron reduced by hydrogen, and then with about 5parts by weight of water. The cupric oxid is preferably of such finenessthat it will all pass through a 100 mesh screen and 75% of it will passthrough a 200 mesh ,screen. The mixture is then pressed or molded intoan electrode of the desired form in a suitable mold, removed from themold, and then sprayed with a sufficient amount of a solution of theelectrolyte such as an ammonium salt, and preferably ammonium chloride,to make the final electrolyte or ammonium salt content of the electrodewhen dried about 2% of its Weight. The solution sprayed on the moldedelectrode should be at a temperature of approximately forty degreesFahrenheit and should be nearly saturated with the ammonium chloride orother electrolyte. After the electrode is sprayed, it is thoroughlydried and is then ready for use in a cell. Electrodes thus produced aresubstantially uniform in structure or substantially homogeneousthroughout.

Iron reduced by hydrogen generally consists of a mixture of finelydivided pure iron and an oxid or oxides thereof. Accordingly, the termiron-containing material as used in certain of the claims is intended tocover either iron, or an oxide or oxides thereof, or both iron and anoxide or oxides thereof.

It is to be understood that the electrodes specifically describedherein, as well as the method for producing the same, are merelyillustrative of my invention, and that many modifications and changesmay be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the inventionand the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A self-sustaining unbaked electrode element for galvanic batteriesconsisting of oxid of copper combined with a mixture of finely dividediron and an electrolyte as a binder, substantially as described.

2. A self-sustainin unbaked electrode element for galvanic atteriesconsisting of oxid of copper combined with a mixture of finely dividediron and an ammonium salt as a binder, substantially as described.

3. A self-sustaining unbaked electrode ele ment for galvanic batteriesconsisting of oxid of co per combined with a mixture of finely divi ediron and ammonium chloride as a binder substantially as described.

4. A self-sustaining unbaked electrode element for galvanic batteriesconsisting of oxid of copper and a mixture of finely dividediron-containing material and'an electrolyte as a binder, substantiallyas described.

5. A self-sustaining unbaked electrode element for galvanic batteriesconsisting of oxid of copper and a mixture of finely dividediron-containing material and an ammonium salt as a binder, substantiallyas described.

6. A self-sustaining unbaked electrode element for galvanic batteriesconsisting of oxid of copper and a mixture of finely dividediron-containing material and ammonium chloride as a binder,substantially as described.

7. Aself-sustaining electrode element for galvanic batteries, consistingof a mixture of approximately 100 parts of weight of oxid of copper, 2parts by weight of ironc ontaining materia and 2 parts by weight of anelectrolyte, substantially as described.

8. The method of forming an electrode element for galvanic batteries,which consists in incorporatin oxid of copper, finely dividediron-containing material and a solution of an electrolyte in a moldedelement, and then drying such element, substantially as described. i

This specification signed this 11th day of December, 1920.

HAROLD N. COX.

